SOCIETY GAMBLERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8366, 28 February 1913, Page 11

SOCIETY GAMBLERS

WOMEN WHO LOST HEAVILY IN BELGRAVIA DEN. REMARKABLE LETTERS. PRINCIPALS OF WEST-END HOUSE FINED £IOOO. LONDON, January 10. Piquant letters from well-known people, including women prominent in society, who had hcc-n placed in awkwar plights owing to their having lost large sums in a fashionable gaming den in Belgravia, were read at Westminster Police Court when Roy McKay and William Grose, who had rented a furnished mansion in Wilton crescent, were each fined the maximum penalty of £OOO. It was stated that the accused controlled other gaming establishments . in Eaton square and Lower Slcane street. Three servants, George Pratt, George Martin, and Henry Johnson, were each bound over in the sum of £2O to be of good behaviour in future. The groen baize-covered chemin d© fer table and other paraphernalia sc mod were placed in the dock as exhibits, and in front of the dock wore ranged McKay, Grose, and three servants of the house. Picas of “Guilty” were entered. At the previous hearing, when a number of frequenters of the house wore bound over, it was stated that the place was raided by detectives in evening dress, who drove up in motor-cars and taxicabs. Counters representing more than £14,0U0 were found. According to a detective who had posed as a clubman, all the patrons were of social standing. Mr Muskett, in opening the case at length, said the premises were lot furnished on agreement to McKay from October 10th to January 9th, at a rental of about £77 a month. “It is evident,’' ho declared, “that from the very first the principals ran this place solely and simply as an aristocratic gaming house. They both lived on the premises; in fact, no distinction can bo made between their degrees of responsibility, The police evidence, had it been given, would have gone to show that to a large extent tho premises were used for afternoon gaming, and not for the purpose of gambling at late hours of the night. Observation kept from November 9th until December 15th, the (lay before the raid, showed that a considerable number of persons of both, sexes resorted there in the early hours of the afternoon, and remained there until seven o’clock in the evening. THE DETECTIVE’S- LOSSES. “ Tho first direct evidence which would nave been tendered in support of aha cnargo, had it been necessary* would have i elated to a certain incident which occurred on the afternoon of December 12ch. About 6.30 that evening Detective McUooey obtained admission, being let in by Pratt, the doorkeeper. The detective asked to see Mr inciiay, and was shown to tho smoke-room on the ground floor. Mck ay entered, and the detective mentioned tho name of a lady of position as a passport. In the course of tho conversation which followed McKay said, ‘ We have to be so very careful whom we lot in here.’ The discreet detective then made as if he were about to leave, -whereupon McKay said, ‘ Oh, don’t go; come up and have a game.’ The detective was then taken up into the drawing-room on the first floor, where he fouud seven ladies and five gentlemen playing the game of chemin de fer, a form of baccarat, which is without doubt ah unlawful game. “ Grose was acting as croupier. As the game was in progress McKay said to the detective, 1 How many “chips” do you want?’ He replied that £5 would be enough. ‘ Take a pony,’ - said McKay, throwing down counters representing £25. No money passed, tho practice evidently being to pay for the counters at tho end of tho afternoon or evening play. McCooey took his £25, and after staking very moderately and losing £7 he made an excuse and left. He handed over the remainder of the counters, and paid what he had lost. About 6.30 on tho afternoon of the next day the same detective again called, and was shown in to tho smoke-room, where he awaited McKay. This time McKay had evidently heard something, and was clearly suspicious of Iris visitor. “Ho said, M really cannot let you upstairs to-night. Wo have to be extremely careful. I am very sorry.’ Ho also said, ‘ This is mo/o of an afternoon place. Wo always play here from tea-time to dinner-time.’ Within a comparatively short time Superintendent Kitch arrived with a search warrant, and the raid took place. On tho last occasion,” continued Mr Muskett, “it was proved that in front of tho punters were counters representing a face value of £Bl3. Close to Grose in boxes were other counters representing a value of £9BBI, which, presumably, were to be supplied as required. It is also significant that outside tho draw-ing-room door, on a table, were other boxes containing oonnters of the Value of £3572. The practice, evidently, was for the players to make their purchases of counters at the door of tho room. REMARKABLE LETTERS. “From a largo number of papers and documents found by the polios, I propose—without pillorying anyone by the disclosure of names-—to read a few extracts to show the enormous sums which McKay and Grose were making by keeping tho establishment. One letter. written to Grose, reads; My young friend .... told me he came in on Saturday and started a little game. He had no idea of what he had lost, and as you are a pal of mine, treat him nicely. Will you accept six cheques for £SO each ? If you will do this I will get him to do it at once. Tie is quite a nice young follow, and only too anxious to do what is right and proper. Ho got rather out of his depth, but he will have some money in about a fortnight. “Another letter ran: Dear Mr Grosse.—l am enclosing you a fresh cheque for £95, and you ■ can return me the one for £l6O. I must ask you to hold this for a day or two until this business in Pans is completed. “A letter addressed to McKay, dated December 9th, and found in his bedroom, stated: I send you herewith cheque for £6OO as promised, on account of the £I2OO. You can imagine how much sleep I have had. With compliments to you and that wretch of a Crowse. “Whether the writer is referring to the defendant Grose, I don’t know,” added Mr Muskett. Bank paying-in slips discovered showed that a sum of £9047 10s had been paid into the London County and Westminster Bank in

tho name of a McKay. Several of the cheques sent had been dishonoured. References to cheques of £722 and £G3S wore also made by Mr MuskettThe writer in a letter accompanying tho £635 cheqnes said: t . Am feeling rotten to-day. Just up. Are you playing this evening 7 If so, may run round. “Another letter ran: Haro told my young friend. . . . to oomo round. He won’t play high, but knows everyone worth anything in London. Ho is very discreet, and a rattling good fellow. I may oomo in myself on Saturday afternoon with a feathered pal. LADY LOSES £ISOO IN ONE NIGHT. To exemplify the gambling among women, Mr Muskett read letters from ladies who had lost largo sums at the house. One prominent lady wrote: 1 am going to ask you a groat favour —whether you can let my £ISIXI 1 lost last night stand to the end of the month, as 1 have practically no money of my allowance left. After all, I have been a very reliable gambler, as you have been always able to cash my cheques. 1 know quite well that has not been so with many of your people. I will do my utmost to pay before the first of the month. 1 presume you will be good enough to let it stand till then. From one woman there was a dishonoured cheque for £BOO drawn on Coutts’s Bank. A letter from a firm of auctioneers brought Mr Muskett to another serious phase of the case, “it shows,” ho seated, “that McKay and Groso were, concerned in other West End gambling establishments. There is no doubt whatever that they were concerned in other promises at Lower Bioatio street, rented at £lO 10s a Week, and at Eaton square. The police have received complaints of the gambling that went on at both these houses. Moreover, both McKay and Grose are undischarged bankrupts. McKay, in July, 1911, attributed his financial diliioulties to betting, while Groso ascribed his to troubles in connection with company promoting. This gaming establishment was of no ordinary class,” concluded Mr Muskett, “and although I do not ask for the extreme penalty of the law regarding imprisonment, I do submit that only the highest pecuniary penalty inflicted would meet the justice of the case.” Mr F. E. Smith, K.C., who defended McKay, said he was not so foobah or inexperienced as to attempt to extenuate what was obvious —that illegal gambling had taken place on a very considerable scale, and under circumstances that made McKay responsible. “It !'«-*> always been hold in cases of this sort that it is aggravation if there is the slightest ground for tho suggestion of unfairness in tho play. No allegation of that sort can. bo made in tho present case.” Mr Bodkin then addressed the court on behalf of Grose. “i cannot got away from the tact that the case is a setioua one against the two principals,” said Mr Francis. “The mischief which is aimed at and struck at by the statute under which these proceedings are taken has been demonstrated by the letters which have been read. It is hot shown that anyone was taken advantage of, and probably that is the reason why a Wide margin boon allowed by the statute in the punishment. Under the circumstances I shall impose tho full penalty of £SOO or three months’ imprisonment in the case of McKay and Grose. The three servants will bo bound over in £2O for future good behaviour. The fines were padd.